Tag Archives: maintaining self-control

Pushing and shoving are often associated with a heated argument, fight or skirmish. When tempers flare, maintaining self-control is a difficult task. In my half century on earth, I have only been involved in two fights. While eating lunch in junior high, someone called my name, I stood up and then was blind sided by a punch, dropping to the floor immediately. A few years later, I was defending a younger neighbor who was black from a high school student who wanted to beat him up. Although I didn’t want to fight, I stepped in to protect my friend.

But as Jesus went, the people were crowding against Him [almost crushing Him], Luke 8:42b.

The Bible refers to a difficult kind of pushing and shoving. The passage above would be equivalent to a modern day outdoor rock concert, with fans trying to get as close as possible to their favorite member of a band on stage. Although its unclear, I’m assuming the disciples served as body guards, attempting to hold the masses back from crushing Jesus. Nonetheless, these desperate souls did whatever was necessary to touch Jesus while he passed by.

And a woman who had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years [and had spent all her money on physicians], and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His outer robe, and immediately her bleeding stopped, Luke 8:43-44.

When people are hurting, ill or plagued by an unknown condition, there are different levels of urgency. An initial diagnosis may be cause for concern, but some take no immediate action. However, as symptoms intensify, hope turns into fear. The woman in the passage above went from doctor to doctor, spending her life savings without any improvement. This dire state prompted this woman to push and shove her way through a massive crowd of spectators until Jesus was in reach. When you reach this point of desperation, cry out to Jesus so that healing and restoration becomes reality.